CA AB2958

Establishes the Behavioral Health and Justice Center of Excellence to be created by January 1, 2023, by the State Department of Health Care Services in partnership with the University of California, with multiple branch locations across UC campuses.

Centers will provide counties and local agencies with centralized access to data, training, resources, and services to assist individuals with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system, with focus on diversion and reducing recidivism rates.

Multidisciplinary teams at the centers will coordinate forums for behavioral health and law enforcement agencies, analyze jail data and recidivism rates, share best practices, provide workforce training, and assist with implementation of collaborative programs.

Funding for the centers comes from the Mental Health Services Fund's state administrative allocation, not to exceed 5 percent of total annual revenues.

Amends Section 5892 of the Welfare and Institutions Code to authorize use of Mental Health Services Act moneys for the new center, requiring a two-thirds legislative vote for approval.